It All Thundered In Tango’s Head Over And Over Like Waves Crashing Against The Rocks In A Storm. The

It all thundered in Tango’s head over and over like waves crashing against the rocks in a storm. The crops. The empty pen. The teasing. The fire. The fire. Scar running away, lighter still lit. The fire.

He was vaguely aware of Jimmy thanking everyone who came to help out out the ranch. He kept yelling over him, only to be gently pushed back. He felt bad, but he had to scream. He had to.

Jimmy’s hands were cool on his face, on his neck and arms. Everyone was gone. They were back in the ruins of The Ranch. Jimmy was pushing Tango into the middle of the floor, and dumped a bucket of water on his head.

“Ah!”

“Sorry, sorry, sorry!” Tango blinked through the water and shook his head like a dog. Jimmy was pacing back and forth in front of him, holding his hands. “I had to put you out- you were burning!”

Tango noticed Jimmy’s hands, which were a blistering red. “Oh no. Jimmy, did I burn you?” Curse his fire-born background. He took Jimmy’s hands and examined them. “It’s okay, you’ll be okay. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. You’re just mad, is all. I get it! We will get revenge!” Jimmy spoke grandly, but grimaced when he moved his hands.

“Here, put some snow on the burns.” Tango said, getting some from a chest. “It’ll soothe it. I’m going to go chop some wood. Yeah, chop some wood.”

“I mean, could it wait until tomorrow?” Jimmy looked anxious. “Tango, I know you’re feeling rash and upset and I am too, but we need to plan! We need to rebuild!”

Tango had to calm his heartbeat, because it was Jimmy’s too, and if this was going to happen he needed to calm down just enough.

Tango took some deep breaths. “Yes. I agree. Planning. Scar is a lot smarter then he acts. I’m going to go chop some wood, I mean it. It’s relaxing for me. I promise I won’t go looking for Scar. I promise.”

Their heartbeats were slowing down. Jimmy physically relaxed, almost going limp. “Okay. Go on then. See you later.” He stumbled to bed and just sat there. The wind came through one of the many holes in the house and ruffled his hair.

Tango grabbed his axe and walked over to Jimmy. “Hey Jim?”

“Yeah?” Jimmy looked up at him with those lovely blue eyes.

“Love you.” He leaned down and kissed Jimmy on the forehead.

“Love you too.” Jimmy smiled.

And yes, it wasn’t Scar’s that Tango went to. But it wasn’t the forest, either. Tango tripped his way down the ravine Impulse had once shown him, a crude set of stairs illuminating his true path. It was evening, it was quiet out. He had very little time left, Tango knew that, so he went as fast as he could.

He fell into the ancient city through a hole in the ceiling. It hurt- Jimmy would be concerned.

A shriek. Then darkness.

Strike one.

He ran through the city, and his footsteps should have echoed back to him like thunderous applause, but it all got absorbed by the blue and black.

But still, a shriek. Then darkness.

Strike two.

“Come on out and face me, motherfucker!” Tango screamed, standing in front of the enchanter, spreading his arms wide.

A shriek. Then darkness. Then, a horrible, wet, explosion from right in front of him.

Strike three.

And there it was. The warden, keeper of the ancient city, towered above him. Tango’s heart pounded, and yet he couldn’t stop smiling. It was a terrible, horrible grimace that kept him from running, but a smile nonetheless.

The warden stood there, looking down at Tango, and for one moment, there was dead silence. A man and a monster, equals in seeking out what it must do. And then the warden pulled its head back and screamed, and Tango screamed too.

And then, Tango was awake. And it felt so fucking good. He was tangled with Jimmy in the tiny bed they had always shared, where they whispered about the future together. But the future was gone- the future was now. Tango stood up in the still-charred ruins of The Ranch, pulling Jimmy up with him. Jimmy’s eyes were as red as Tango’s now, and a painfully wide smile cracked the skin of his face.

“I think it’s time to go hunting, my dear.” Tango whispered. Their communicators were going off, and Tango already knew what they said. Run Scar. Run.

“I can’t help but agree.” Jimmy grabbed two swords, and tossed one to Tango. “Finally. God. Finally.”

The two ran, swords out and murder thundering in their veins. The forest burst into fire around them, as Tango, his whole body alive with flames that clawed the air five feet above him, ran past the trees. Tango blew his horn, and Jimmy followed suit, and now it wasn't something to be ignored. Now, the cry of their horns were a hunting call that needed no answer.